Method to Meter a Thermal Barrier Upon a Surface

ABSTRACT

A manner by which to form a thermal barrier upon a surface, utilizes a pneumatic blower to form a layer of thermal insulation material and a layer of radiant barrier material. The pneumatic blower is first charged with the thermal insulation material, and the thermal insulation material is metered upon the surface. Then, the pneumatic blower is charged with the radiant barrier material, and the radiant barrier material is metered upon the thermal insulation material.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser.No. 12/459,305 filed on 30 Jun. 2009, the content of which isincorporated herein in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure is generally related to methods to add a radiantbarrier to insulation and the products thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Radiant barriers are commonly installed in residential, commercial, andindustrial buildings to reduce summer heat gain and winter heat loss,and hence to reduce building cooling and heating energy usage.

Radiant barriers can reduce heat transfer by thermal radiation acrossthe air space between the roof deck and the attic floor, whereconventional insulation is often placed. All materials give off, oremit, energy by thermal radiation as a result of their temperature. Theamount of energy emitted depends on the surface temperature and aproperty called the “emissivity.” The emissivity is a number betweenzero (0) and one (1). The higher the emissivity, the greater the emittedradiation.

A closely related material property is the “reflectivity.” Reflectivityis a measure of how much radiant heat is reflected by a material. Thereflectivity is also a number between 0 and 1. For a material that doesnot allow radiation to pass directly though it, when the emissivity andreflectivity are added together, the sum is one (1). Hence, a materialwith a high reflectivity has a low emissivity, and vice versa. Radiantbarrier materials generally have a high reflectivity (usually 0.9 ormore) and a low emissivity (usually 0.1 or less) and face an open airspace to perform properly.

On a sunny day, solar energy is absorbed by the roof, heating the roofsheathing and causing the underside of the sheathing and the roofframing to radiate heat downward toward the attic floor. When a radiantbarrier is placed on the attic floor, much of the heat radiated from thehot roof is reflected back toward the roof. This makes the top surfaceof the insulation cooler than it would have been without a radiantbarrier, and heat flow through the insulation is reduced. On a winterday, when a radiant barrier is installed on the attic floor, it emitslittle heat, keeping the insulation warmer than it would have beenwithout a radiant barrier, and, again, heat flow through the insulationis reduced.

Heretofore, some radiant barriers have been formed with reinforcedaluminum sheets. It takes extensive time and labor to install suchsheets properly. Also, some radiant barriers are formed of heavy gaugematerial or of material that is reinforced in the manufacturing processto hold individually manually attached fasteners and to avoid tearing.Many times, the materials used to reinforce the aluminum sheet arecombustible. The prior process of manually installing single layers ofsheet materials often allows for degradation of its reflectiveproperties over time due to dust settling on the flat surface anddulling its reflectivity. It also must be removed to even enter theattic space or to conduct repairs of any of the various mechanical andelectrical systems typically contained in attic spaces and must beproperly reattached after any exit.

Hence, prior art radiant barriers have the shortcomings and deficienciesof high cost, difficult installation requirements, combustibility,subject to degradation caused by dust, and difficulty doing repairs whenit is installed.

SUMMARY

In a particular embodiment, a method to add a radiant barrier toexisting thermal insulation includes collecting processed pieces ofmaterial, and pneumatically metering the processed pieces of material toadd a radiant barrier to the existing thermal insulation.

In another particular embodiment, a method to add a radiant barrier toinsulation having a top surface includes collecting a material thatreflects more than the insulation, and applying the material to the topof the insulation with blown air.

In another particular embodiment, a method to add a radiant barrier toan insulation system includes collecting radiant barrier material, andapplying the radiant barrier material to the insulation systempneumatically.

In another particular embodiment, a method to add a radiant barrier toan insulation system having a top surface includes collecting radiantbarrier material, and applying the radiant barrier material to the topof the insulation system pneumatically.

In another particular embodiment, an insulation system includes a layerof insulation having a top surface, and a layer of pieces of materiallaying on the top surface.

In another particular embodiment a radiant barrier including pieces ofaluminum foil that are deposited on insulation material with blown air.

One particular advantage provided by embodiments of the method to add aradiant barrier to insulation is that extensive time and labor toinstall it is not required. A particular advantage provided byembodiments of the product of the method to add a radiant barrier toinsulation is that it is not combustible. Another particular advantageprovided by embodiments of the product of the method to add a radiantbarrier to insulation is that its reflective properties do not degradeover time due to dust settling on the flat surface and dulling itsreflectivity. Another particular advantage provided by embodiments ofthe product of the method to add a radiant barrier to insulation is thatone does not need to remove it to enter the attic space or to conductrepairs of any of the various mechanical and electrical systemstypically contained in attic spaces, nor does one need to reattach itupon exit.

Other aspects, advantages, and features of the present disclosure willbecome apparent after review of the entire application, including thefollowing sections: Brief Description of the Drawings, DetailedDescription, and the Claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1a is a block diagram of a particular illustrative embodiment of aproduct of a method to apply a radiant barrier to existing thermalinsulation that shows its reflectivity ability;

FIG. 1b is a block diagram of a particular illustrative embodiment of aproduct of a method to apply a radiant barrier to existing thermalinsulation that shows its emissivity ability.

FIG. 2 is an operational view of a method to add a radiant barrier toexisting insulation;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a particular illustrative embodiment of amethod to add a radiant barrier to insulation;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a particular illustrative embodiment of amethod to add a radiant barrier to insulation;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a particular illustrative embodiment of amethod to add a radiant barrier to insulation;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a particular illustrative embodiment of amethod to add a radiant barrier to insulation;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a particular illustrative embodiment of aproduct of a method to add a radiant barrier to insulation;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a particular illustrative embodiment of aproduct of a method to add a radiant barrier to insulation;

FIG. 9 is an operational view of a manner by which to apply both thermalinsulation and a radiant barrier to a surface: and

FIG. 10 is an operational view of a manner, including a communicationmechanism, by which to apply both thermal insulation and a radiantbarrier to a surface in an attic.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1a and 1b , block diagrams of a particularillustrative embodiment of the area in which a product of a method toapply a radiant barrier to existing thermal insulation can be found isdisclosed and generally designated 100. Area 100 is the attic of a houseor building with an attic roof 102 and an attic floor 104. Beneath theattic floor 104 is the living/working area 106 of the building or house.FIG. 1a illustrates a situation in which it is designed to keep area 106cool—a typical summer situation, as labeled in the figure. FIG. 1billustrates a situation in which it is desired to keep area 106 warm—atypical winter situation, as labeled in the figure. In FIG. 1a —thetypical summer situation—rays from the sun 108 are shown striking atticroof 102. The rays from the sun 108 cause heat (shown by labeled arrows)to be transferred from the attic roof 102 towards the attic floor 104.In FIG. 1b , rays of heat 110 from area 106 are shown striking atticfloor 104. The rays of heat 110 cause heat (shown by labeled arrows) tobe transferred from the attic floor 104 towards the attic roof 102.

In both FIGS. 1a and 1b on the attic floor is existing insulation 112.On the left halves of FIGS. 1a and 1b , there is nothing on the topsurface of the existing insulation 112 (that is, on the surface of theinsulation 112 facing the open space between the attic floor 104 and theattic roof 102). On the right halves of FIGS. 1a and 1b , a radiantbarrier 114 is shown laying on the top surface of the insulation 112.

FIG. 1a shows that heat from the rays from the sun 108 cause a transferof approximately 49K British thermal units or BTUs (a term commonly usedto indicate heat value) to the attic floor 104 when no radiant barrier114 is present and transfer of only about 3 BTUs when a radiant barrier114 is present (actual values depend on a number of measurements, suchas the temperature of the attic floor 104, the temperature of the atticroof 102, etc.). This is because the radiant barrier 114 reflects asignificant amount of heat that strikes the top surface of the existinginsulation 112. This means that the existing insulation 112 will haveless heat to deal with, and that the living or working area 106 iscooler if a radiant barrier 114 is present.

FIG. 1b shows that heat from rays 110 cause a transfer of approximately45K BTUs to the attic roof 102 when no radiant barrier 114 is presentand transfer of only about 2K BTUs when a radiant barrier 114 ispresent. This is because the radiant barrier 114 emits very little heatfrom its top surface. This means that more heat is retained in area 106,which is desired in a winter situation.

Together, FIGS. 1a and 1b show that a radiant barrier 114 caneffectively keep a living or working area 106 cooler in the summer bykeeping heat out and warmer in the winter by keeping heat in, which canlead to significant reduction in energy usage, and, therefore,significant cost savings.

Referring to FIG. 2, a method to add a radiant barrier to existinginsulation is shown and generally designated 200. Method 200 involves aportable pneumatic blower 202 that can be operated by two workers 204and 206.

Worker 204 places material 208 in the pneumatic blower 202. Material 208can be processed material. Material 208 can be processed pieces ofmaterial comprising low emissivity (low-e) material. Material 208 can beprocessed pieces of material comprising bits of aluminum foil. Material208 can be a material that reflects more than conventional insulation.Material 208 can be material that reflects more and emits less thanconventional insulation. Material 208 can comprise foil material.Material 208 can comprise aluminum foil. Material 208 can comprise loosebits and pieces of aluminum foil.

Pneumatic blower 202 includes a base 210. Base 210 supports a hopper212, a blower 214 and an engine 216.

Hopper 212 includes an airlock 218, a feeder 220 and an auger 222. Auger222 includes a spiral blade 224 and auger shaft 226 housed in a shell228. Blade 224 is configured to drive material 208 towards feeder 220when the shaft 226 is driven in a predetermined direction by engine 216.

The shell 228 defines an opening 230 that enables air from blower 214 toenter hopper 212. Airlock or air chamber 218 separates the material 208from the air entering through opening 230 and channels the airdownwardly towards feeder 220.

Material 208 is gravity fed into feeder 220. The feeder 220 conveys thematerial 208 underneath the air chamber 218, wherein the pressurized airin the chamber 218 forces the material 208 in the feeder 220 to exittherefrom via an outlet 232 into a flexible hose 234. The person 206holds a distal end 236 of the hose 234 to control the placement ofmaterial that flows from the hose 234 while the blower 214 runs. Thematerial that flows from the distal end 236 of the hose 234 ispneumatically metered material 208—e.g., air blown loose bits and piecesof a low-e material such as aluminum foil.

Alternatives are possible. For example, the pneumatic blower 202 can beassembled in different configurations and/or with various differentcomponents as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,125,204, the contents ofwhich are incorporated herein by this reference thereto. The pneumaticblower 202 can be any size, such as truck mounted or portable and/orhandheld. Ideally, the pneumatic blower is relatively small so as to beeasily positioned in a conventional attic where it can be used topneumatically meter material 208. A single worker can both load material208 into the blower 202 and operate the blower 202. The material can bein any form for convenient handling, such as in a bag containing loosebits and pieces of aluminum foil fed directly into a blower. Method 200is an illustrative method to pneumatically deposit radiant barriermaterial on the top surface of existing insulation in an attic.

Referring to FIG. 3, a flow chart of a method to add a radiant barrierto existing thermal insulation is shown and generally designated 300. Atstep 302, one collects processed pieces of material, such as a lowemissivity (low-e) material (e.g., bits of aluminum foil). At step 302,one pneumatically meters the processed pieces of material.

Referring to FIG. 4, a flow chart of a method to add a radiant barrierto insulation having a top surface is shown and generally designated400. At step 402, one collects a material that reflects more andpossibly, emits less, than the insulation. This material could bealuminum foil, and possibly, loose bits and pieces of aluminum foil. Atstep 404, one applies the material to the top of the insulation withblown air.

Referring to FIG. 5, a flow chart of a method to add a radiant barrierto an insulation system is shown and generally designated 500. At step502, one collects radiant barrier material, such as low-e material, suchas foil material, such as aluminum foil. At step 504, one applies theradiant barrier material to the insulation system pneumatically.

Referring to FIG. 6, a flow chart of a method to add a radiant barrierto an insulation system having a top surface is shown and generallydesignated 600. At step 602, one collects radiant barrier material, suchas low-e substance, such as foil material, such as aluminum foil, suchas loose bits and pieces of aluminum foil. At step 604, one applies theradiant barrier material to the top of the insulation systempneumatically.

Referring to FIG. 7, a block diagram of a particular illustrativeembodiment of an insulation system is depicted and designated system700. System 700 is formed by elements 702 and 704. Element 702 is alayer of insulation having a top surface. Element 704 is a layer ofpieces of material resting on the top surface—that is, material spreadby the method of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, a block diagram of a particular illustrativeembodiment of a radiant barrier is depicted and designated system 800.Radiant barrier 700 is formed of pieces of aluminum foil that aredeposited on insulation with blown air 702.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate more detailed implementations, shown generallyas 900 and 1000, of embodiments of the present invention. Theimplementations 900 and 1000 pertain both to methods and to apparatusesthat carry out the methods. The implementations 900 and 1000 areanalogous to the method 200 shown in FIG. 2, and structure previouslyshown and described with respect to the implementation of FIG. 2 iscommonly referenced in FIGS. 9 and 10 with common reference numerals.The implementation 900 provides for the installation of a thermalbarrier upon a surface in which the thermal barrier comprises both alayer of thermal insulation and a layer of a radiant barrier materialand the implementation 1000 provides for the installation of a thermalbarrier upon a surface in an attic including a communication mechanismbetween separated workers and where thermal insulation is appliedpartially, for repair, and radiant barrier material is appliedcompletely, for a full new application.

Accordingly, in FIG. 9 the implementation 900 is again shown to includea pneumatic blower 202 that, in the exemplary implementation, isoperated by a pair of workers, a worker 204 and worker 206. The worker204 charges material 208 into the pneumatic blower 202. The worker 204may charge the pneumatic blower 202 with thermal insulation 904 and/orhe may charge the blower 202 with radiant barrier material 906. Theworker 206 manipulates the distal end 236 of the flexible hose 234 toapply either charged material 904 or charged material 906. One workermay practice implementation 900 by performing the work done by bothworkers 204 and 206.

The pneumatic blower 202 here also includes a base 210 that supports ahopper 212, a blower 214, and an engine 216. The hopper 212 includes anairlock 218, a feeder 220, and an auger 222. The auger 222 includes aspiral blade 224 and an auger shaft 226, which are housed within a shell228. The worker 204 towards the feeder 220 configures the blade 224 todrive the material 208 that is charged into the blower when the engine216 drives the auger shaft 226. The shell 228 defines an opening 230.The opening 230 enables air generated during operation of the blower 214to enter into the hopper 212. The airlock is positioned to causeseparation of the material 208 from the airflow entering the blower 214by way of the opening 230 and further functions to channel the airflowdownwardly towards the feeder 220.

When the worker 204 charges the material 208 into the pneumatic blower,the force of gravity causes the material to fall into the feeder 220.The feeder conveys the material 208 underneath the air chamber 218, andthe pressurized air in the chamber 218 forces the material 208 in thefeeder 220 to exit the feeder by way of an outlet 232 to which theflexible hose 234 is attached. The worker 206 holds or otherwisesupports the flexible hose 234 and the positioning of the distal end 236of the hose. The worker 206 thereby controls the direction of the flowof the material that is pneumatically metered during operation.

In the exemplary implementation 900, a thermal barrier is installed upona base 902, such as an attic floor or other substrate. The thermalbarrier is formed of a thermal insulation layer with a radiant barrierlayer there above.

In a method of operation of the implementation 900, the worker 204 firstcharges the pneumatic blower with the thermal insulation material 904.The thermal insulation material is formed, e.g., of segregable pieces ofinsulation that are of sizes permitting pneumatic metering when thepneumatic blower 202 is operated. The metering of the thermal insulation904 causes formation of the thermal insulation layer 908, formed of thethermal insulation 904 upon the base 902.

Thereafter, the worker 204 charges the pneumatic blower with radiantbarrier material 906. The radiant barrier material 906, as describedpreviously, is formed, e.g., of segregable pieces of reflectivematerial. The radiant barrier material 906 comprises, for instance,processed pieces of radiant barrier material. The charging of the blowerwith the radiant barrier material and appropriate positioning by theworker 206 of the distal end 236 of the flexible hose 234 permitsmetering of the material 906 such that a radiant barrier layer 910 isformed on top of the thermal insulation layer 908. The illustration ofFIG. 9 illustrates the pneumatic metering of the radiant barriermaterial 906 to form the layer 910.

Because the same pneumatic blower and workers are able to install thethermal barrier formed of both the thermal installation layer 908 andthe radiant barrier layer 910, more efficient and speedy installation ofthe thermal barrier is provided in contrast to existing techniques andapparatus.

FIG. 10 illustrates an implementation, shown generally at 1000, of animplementation of an embodiment of the present disclosure in which thepneumatic blower 202 is positioned at a truck bed of a truck 1002. Bysuch positioning, the pneumatic blower is provided with mobilitytogether with movement of the truck 1002. Here, the truck 1002 ispositioned proximate to a house 1004 having an attic 1006 at which athermal barrier, formed of both a thermal installation layer 908 and aradiant barrier 910 is installed upon a base 902. In the illustration ofFIG. 10, the truck 1002 is positioned, here in proximity to a garage1002 to be positioned to permit flexible hose 234 to extend from thepneumatic blower 202 into the attic 1006 at which the worker 206controls the installation of the layers 908 and 910 of the thermalbarrier. The flexible hose here extends through an entry point 1008directly into the attic 1006, and the attic 1006 also contains an entrypoint 1010 to permit entry of the worker 206 into the attic. In theother implementations, the pneumatic blower 202 is positioned elsewhere,such as on the ground, proximate to the house 1004, or in the garage1012.

When so-positioned, the worker 204 charges material 904 and 906, asdescribed previously, into the pneumatic blower 202, and the worker 206directs installation of the layers 908 and 9010 upon the base 902. Thesame pneumatic blower 202 is used in the application of both of thelayers 908 and 910.

Footsteps 1014 are also shown in the FIG., formed as the worker 206walks through the attic 1006. The footsteps 1014 are, more generally,representative of any imperfection that compromises a thermal insulationlayer, either a pre-existing thermal insulation layer or a newly-appliedthermal insulation layer 908. The footsteps 1014 are caused by movementof the work 206 subsequent to entry at the entry point 1010. The barrierof thermal insulation layer 908 is compromised due to the work 206 beingtasked to apply a thermal barrier formed of the layer 908 and 910 frompoints distant from the point of attic entry 101 and then back to theentry 101. As the pneumatic blower is capable of applying both thematerials 904 and 906, the work 206 is able to provide instructions, asdescribed previously, to instruct the work 204 to empty the blower 202of the material 906 and to load thermal insulation 904 into thepneumatic blower. The pneumatic blower is then restarted, and the work206 repairs the compromised thermal insulation layer 908 prior to finalapplication of the radiant barrier layer 910. Radio communication, asdescribed previously, provides for these operations to be carried outquickly and conveniently, as many times as is required to complete theinstallation of the radiant barrier.

In cases in which there is only one worker, it would be easy for thatworker to do what needs to be done to apply both thermal insulation 904and radiant barrier material 906 properly. In cases in which there aretwo workers 204, 206, those two workers 204, 206 may not be able tocommunicate by directly speaking to each other.

In such cases, there may either a wired or wireless communication systembetween the workers 204, 206. For example, worker 206 could want worker204 to turn the blower off, to turn the blower on, to put thermalinsulation in the blower, or to put radiant barrier material in theblower. A wireless communication system (shown in FIG. 9) could comprisewalkie-talkies or cellular phones or similar devices with one suchdevice 912 (associated with worker 204) and another such device 914(associated with worker 206). Using such devices 912, 914 workers 204,206 can communicate via wirelessly communicated words or some otherunderstood code (of clicks, for example—one click for radiant barriermaterial; two clicks for thermal insulation; three clicks to turn theblower off; and four clicks to turn the blower on).

Yet another wireless option would be for device 914 to communicate witha remote control 916 such as the remote control manufactured by Meyer &Sons, Inc., of Libertyville, Ill., and shown in its catalog number262-B-002. Remote 916 is shown in FIG. 9 to have a series of lights orother indicia 918 that enable worker 206 to tell worker 204 which of anumber of options are desired. Remote 916 is also shown connected via awire 920 to a control panel 922 (best seen in FIG. 10) on blower 202, sothat worker 206 can control the blower 202 (e.g., turn it on and off) ifdesired.

A wired communication system is also shown in FIG. 10. In FIG. 10, awire 1016 runs together with the flexible hose 234 so as to allow worker206 to communicate with worker 204 in the truck and/or to control thepneumatic equipment via control panel 922. The flexible hose 234 withassociated communication wire is shown to extend from truck mountedpneumatic equipment 202 to the attic 1006 of the house 1004 through theaccess port 1008 to the attic 1006. In the attic 1006 worker 206, whogained access the attic 1006 via the attic entry 1010, manipulates thedistal end 236 of the flexible hose 234. There could be a small controlat the distal end of the flexible hose 234 to enable worker 206 toprovide control inputs to the communication and control system.

The method of the present invention and products thereof offer a numberof advantages over the prior art. One particular advantage provided byembodiments of the method to add a radiant barrier to existinginsulation is that extensive time and labor is not required forinstallation. A particular advantage provided by embodiments of theproduct of the present invention is that it is not combustible—that is,no element contained within the metered material is combustible. Anotherparticular advantage provided by embodiments of the product of thepresent invention is that its reflective properties do not degrade overtime due to dust settling on the flat surface and dulling itsreflectivity. Because the metered material settles in on angles, anydust on its surface does not effectively reduce its reflectivity.Another particular advantage provided by embodiments of the product ofthe present invention is that one does not need to remove it to enterthe attic space or to conduct repairs of any of the various mechanicaland electrical systems typically contained in attic spaces, nor does oneneed to reattach it upon exit.

Because the same pneumatic blower and workers are able to install thethermal barrier formed of both the thermal installation layer 908 andthe radiant barrier layer 910, more efficient and speedy installation ofthe thermal barrier is provided in contrast to existing techniques andapparatus.

Those of skill will appreciate that the various illustrative logicalblocks, configurations, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps describedin connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implementedas electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. Toclearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software,various illustrative components, blocks, configurations, modules,circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms oftheir functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented ashardware or software depends upon the particular application and designconstraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans mayimplement the described functionality in varying ways for eachparticular application, but such implementation decisions should not beinterpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the presentdisclosure.

The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with theembodiments disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in asoftware module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two.The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided toenable any person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosedembodiments. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art, and the principles defined hereinmay be applied to other embodiments without departing from the scope ofthe disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to belimited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widestscope possible consistent with the principles and novel features asdefined by the following claims.

1-19. (canceled)
 20. A method for installing a thermal barrier upon asurface, said method comprising: charging a pneumatic blower withprocessed pieces of thermal insulation material; pneumatically meteringthe processed pieces of the thermal insulation material to form athermal insulation layer upon the surface; thereafter charging thepneumatic blower with the processed pieces of radiant barrier material;and pneumatically metering the processed pieces of the radiant barriermaterial to form a radiant barrier layer upon the thermal insulationlayer; wherein the pieces of radiant barrier are deposited on the piecesof the thermal insulation material such that the pieces of radiantbarrier settle at varying angles thereby mitigating degradation of thereflective properties of the radiant barrier layer due to dust.
 21. Themethod of claim 20 wherein the radiant barrier material reflects morethan the thermal insulation material.
 22. The method of claim 21 whereinthe radiant barrier material emits less than the thermal insulation. 23.The method of claim 22 wherein the radiant barrier material comprisesaluminum foil.
 23. The method of claim 23 wherein the aluminum foilcomprises loose bits and pieces of aluminum foil.
 24. The method ofclaim 20 wherein the radiant barrier material comprises low emissivity(low-e) material.
 25. The method of claim 24 wherein the low-e materialcomprises foil material.
 26. The method of claim 25 wherein the foilmaterial comprises aluminum foil.
 27. A method for installing a thermalbarrier upon a surface, said method comprising: pneumatically meteringprocessed pieces of the thermal insulation material to form a thermalinsulation layer upon the surface; thereafter pneumatically meteringprocessed pieces of the radiant barrier material to form a radiantbarrier layer upon the thermal insulation layer; wherein the pieces ofradiant barrier are deposited on the pieces of the thermal insulationmaterial such that the pieces of radiant barrier settle at varyingangles thereby mitigating degradation of the reflective properties ofthe radiant barrier layer due to dust.
 28. The method of claim 27wherein the radiant barrier material reflects more than the thermalinsulation material.
 29. The method of claim 28 wherein the radiantbarrier material emits less than the thermal insulation.
 30. The methodof claim 29 wherein the radiant barrier material comprises aluminumfoil.
 31. The method of claim 30 wherein the aluminum foil comprisesloose bits and pieces of aluminum foil.
 32. The method of claim 27wherein the radiant barrier material comprises low emissivity (low-e)material.
 33. The method of claim 32 wherein the low-e materialcomprises foil material.
 34. The method of claim 33 wherein the foilmaterial comprises aluminum foil.